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| For Immediate Release | Sep 13, 2007 |
The Libertarian Party Response: 'The moral solution is not more war'
President Bush's speech outlines a plan to prolong the war, not conclude the war
Washington, D.C. – In response to tonight's presidential address on Iraq, the Libertarian Party offers its own comments, saying the President's plan is nothing but the same, stale rhetoric. "Contrary to what President Bush is claiming, his new course for Iraq is the same as what we've seen for the past four years," says Libertarian Party National Chairman, William Redpath. "Nothing in Bush's speech indicates the administration has any intention to deviate from the same plan in Iraq that has failed time and time again."
"The President was correct when he stated that, 'there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people.' At this moment, the people of our great nation are calling for a return to a moral foreign policy that begins with an end to the occupation of Iraq," stated Shane Cory, executive director of the Libertarian Party. "Rather than positively respond to the people of our republic, President Bush continues to see no fault in his decision to invade a nation that posed no risk to the United States and held no direct responsibility for the attacks of September 11, 2001. Instead, in order to justify an indefinite occupation, our Commander in Chief has reverted back to the same misleading, fear-mongering tactics that allowed for the military invasion of Iraq.
"A free and stable Iraq is something that the world would benefit from. However, the Libertarian Party believes there are other ways in which to achieve this goal. The Libertarian Party recognizes that the invasion and occupation of sovereign nations is not the moral, appropriate or most effective way to bring liberty to the oppressed people of the world."
Cory continues, "President Bush paints opponents of his plan for staying in Iraq as people who are against freedom and American security. He calls for all political parties to come together to support his plan and says this plan is one that is appealing to everyone. Our president chooses to avoid reality and seeks shelter behind images of 'good and evil' while liberally quoting lines such as 'freedom is not free.' I'll personally choose to stand behind the words of General George Washington who wisely stated: 'Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.'
"The Libertarian Party renews its call to begin the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, which should be orchestrated by American commanders on the ground to ensure the safety of our troops. While we certainly respect General Petraeus' recommendations for Iraq, his suggestions are still based upon the premise that we should remain in the country. The time has come after four years of no substantial progress to finally admit that war is not the right solution to Iraq. Unfortunately, this is a realization that should have been made before more than 3,800 brave American soldiers lost their lives.
"The moral solution to Iraq is not more war. A free and prosperous Iraq is a very real possibility for the future. A free and prosperous Iraq will come when that society is ready for this liberty, but liberty will never flourish under the auspices of war."
The Libertarian Party argues that President Bush should begin a safe and total withdrawal of troops as soon as possible, orchestrated by commanders on the ground in Iraq. The Party believes the invasion and occupation of Iraq was unjustified, and has been a tragic waste of American lives and taxpayer's money. Instead of prolonging what the Libertarian Party calls an "indefinite occupation of Iraq," it believes U.S. commanders should be given permission to coordinate a total and complete withdrawal from the country.
The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.lp.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
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